Sam’s Club seems to be on every corner. They accept all major credit and debit cards, but what about cash?
Is cash still widely accepted at all Sam’s Club locations? We looked into it and this is what we found…
Does Sam’s Club Take Cash?
Sam’s Club accepts a range of payment methods – including cash. However, you cannot use cash to pay for online goods, and you can’t pay for your fuel at Sam’s Club gas stations with cash.
This article takes a look at Sam’s Club and their accepted payment methods: what they are, how to use them, and what you can’t use to pay for your goods at Sam’s Club.
What Payment Methods Are Accepted At Sam’s Cub?
Sam’s Club accept the usual variety of payment forms and pay technologies, and they also share credit cards and gift cards with their parent company, Walmart.
Sam’s Club accepts all major credit cards drawn from U.S. based accounts (but you can’t use international credit cards either instore or online). Current Sam’s Club accepted pay options include:
If you shop instore:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Discover
- American Express
- Sam’s Club Credit
- Walmart and Sam’s Club gift cards
- Cash or check
- Debit card
- SNAP/EBT
- Walmart credit
- Prepaid credit cards
If you’re shopping online at samsclub.com you can use all of the above (through a digital wallet service) except for cash, check, and SNAP/EBT payments, and you also can’t use Walmart credit cards online at Sam’s Club.
Remember that when you shop at Sam’s Club, you cannot use Apple Pay, and you can’t pay via PayPal. This can be confusing especially as Walmart also rejects Apple Pay but does accept PayPal.
Read: Does Sam’s Club Have A Pharmacy?
What is Sam’s Club Scan & Go?
Scan & Go Checkout is a mobile payment technology that Sam’s Club members can use in club or at the fuel pump – remember though, you do have to be a member to use it.
The system works through the Sam’s Club app, and you pay using the cards stored in your digital pay wallet. Members scan items as they shop and load their trolley, pay via their app and then show a digital receipt before leaving the store.
The advantages are being able to skip checkout queues and only handling your grocery load once. Of course, you can also shop your Sam’s Club items online, and choose Curbside Pickup for another fast and convenient way to get your groceries.
How Do I Pay For Sam’s Club Gas?
You have to be a member to purchase fuel at Sam’s Club unless local laws restrict this limitation and allow service of gas to all consumers. You can pay for Sam’s Club gas using credit cards and gift cards, but you can’t use cash.
To purchase fuel, you need either a physical card or card payment technology such as Scan & Go set up on your phone. However, you can’t use Apple Pay for Sam’s Club gas. Accepted cards include:
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express etc
- Sam’s Club credit card and master card
- Walmart credit card
- Sam’s Club and Walmart gift cards (but the Walmart gift cards need to have a magnetic strip in order to be scanned)
Read: Does Sam’s Club Give Military Discount?
Does Sam’s Club Accept Multiple Payment Options?
Whether or not a retailer will take multiple payment options can be confusing. This is because the terms used to distinguish the transaction format can be hard to follow.
Sam’sClub.com state that they do NOT accept a split payment using multiple credit cards.
This means you can’t pay parts of your total using one card after another. However, Sam’s Club do accept split payments if you use multiple payment methods. This means you can use, say, one credit card, your Cash Rewards, a Cash Back credit, and/or up to 4 gift cards.
When you’re shopping instore, you can be a little more creative with your payment choices. In Sam’s Club warehouse locations you can use split payments with multiple credit/debit cards and payment methods.
What is Sam’s Cash?
Sam’s Cash is the club loyalty rewards currency (now merging with existing Cash Rewards for Plus members and Cash Back for Sam’s Club MasterCard holders). The main account holder and the complimentary cardholder’s purchases count toward earning rewards and the Cash accrues as members make purchases.
The Cash is awarded monthly and loaded directly onto membership cards at the beginning of every month. It can be used for purchases online, at the club or via the Sam’s Club mobile app. You can also redeem your digital Cash for actual cash at a register in any club.
Sam’s Cash is available to all Sam’s Club members (both Club and Plus members) and you are automatically enrolled in the program.
Read: Can I Shop At Sam’s Club Without A Membership?
How Do I Sign Up For Sam’s Cash?
There’s no need to formally “sign up” to begin accumulating Sam’s Cash because your membership automatically begins accruing for you. There is no need to “opt in” to anything.
However, you don’t have to use the Cash if you don’t want to. Some members have been unsure of what “Sam’s Cash” actually is – this programme was previously the Cash Rewards program (Plus members) and the Cash Back programme (Sam’s Mastercard).
With Sam’s Cash, everything is in one place and is easier to earn, track, and spend.
As a Club member you will:
With a Sam’s Club Mastercard, earn 1% Sam’s Cash back on Sam’s club purchases, plus 5% cash back on gas (on first $6,000 per year, then 1% after), 3% cash back on dining and 1% cash back on other purchases.
As a Plus member you will:
Get 2% back on qualifying purchases of up to $500/year, including Scan & Go and Curbside Pickup
And with a Sam’s Club Mastercard, earn another 3% Sam’s Cash back on Sam’s Club purchases, plus 5% cash back on gas (on first $6,000 per year, then 1% after), 3% cash back on dining and 1% cash back on other purchases.
Summary
While we can assume that all large chain store retailers will accept a range of digital payments, it isn’t so clear anymore where you can use your cash!
You can use it at Sam’s Club (in-store) but don’t bother trying to buy Sam’s Club fuel with it! Remember thought, that you can also redeem your digital Sam’s Cash for real cash (in-store) if you have any accrued.